Medicament for preventing and/or treating a mammary carcinoma, containing a steroidal aromatase inhibitor

Abstract

A method of prophylaxis and/or treatment of mastocarcinoma (i.e., mammary carcinoma) involves the topical application of a therapeutically or prophylactically effective amount of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor locally, and not systemically, to an area of a patient in need of treatment. This local application avoids the side effects associated with systemic use of steroidal aromatase inhibitors.

1 . Use of a steroidal aromatase inhibitor for the preparation of a medicament formulated for topical application for the prophylaxis and/or treatment of breast cancer, where the medicament contains no antigestagens.  
     
     
         2 . Use according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the medicament contains formestane (4-hydroxyandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione) and/or a pharmacologically active formestane derivative.  
     
     
         3 . Use according to  claim 2 , characterized in that the medicament contains 4-O-acetylandrost-4-ene-3,17-dione.  
     
     
         4 . Use according to one of  claims 1  to  3 , characterized in that the medicament additionally contains substances for promoting skin penetration.  
     
     
         5 . Use according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the medicament contains DMSO.  
     
     
         6 . Use according to one of  claims 1  to  5 , characterized in that the medicament is formulated as an ointment, cream, gel, emulsion or lotion.  
     
     
         7 . Use according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the active compound content is 0.0001-20% by weight, preferably 0.6-10% by weight, further preferably 1-5% by weight.